Zero waste cosmetics - turn your bathroom into an environmental zone

The zero-waste movement is growing. Yeah! But what exactly are zero waste cosmetics and are cosmetics in jars more sustainable? Here you can find the answers to your questions, as well as valuable tips and information about plastic-free cosmetics.

1. What is zero waste cosmetics and where does the term come from?
2. The 5 principles of zero waste cosmetics
3. Are zero waste cosmetics better for the environment?
4. More sustainability in the bathroom
5. Plastic-free cosmetics in the bathroom - our top 5
6. Are cosmetics in glass more sustainable?

What is zero waste cosmetics and where does the term come from?

Plastic-free cosmetics, be it cosmetics without microplastics or cosmetics without plastic packaging, have long been on everyone's lips. But what about zero waste cosmetics? Zero waste cosmetics already sound a lot like environmentally friendly products - but what exactly is zero waste?

Let's take a little history excursion. To the mother of the private zero-waste lifestyle: Béa Johnson. When the Frenchwoman, who lives in California, was forced to minimize her household when she moved in 2006, she discovered the minimalist lifestyle for herself. Two years later, she came across the term zero waste, which had previously been used in production and waste management, and applied it to her own life.

Zero waste = zero rubbish/waste. Step by step, she changed her consumer behavior to produce as little waste as possible. Her blog and book followed and thousands were inspired by her tips for a zero-waste everyday life. The 2006 version of trending, so to speak.

The 5 principles of zero waste cosmetics

Béa Johnson's family of four managed to produce just one large jar of waste in a year. How did they do it? By following the following zero-waste principles:

• Refuse - reject what you don't need
• Reduce - reduce what you use
• Reuse - what works is used again
• Recycle - what you can't refuse will be recycled
• Compost - compost whenever you can

That may sound drastic at first. But pictures of beaches covered in garbage or sea creatures dying from plastic waste make it clear just how bad things are already for our beautiful planet. It is no longer just before 12, but rather just after. There is a need for action now. And because the legal mills grind slowly, it's best to start with ourselves and gradually help to reduce the exorbitant amounts of plastic. Where better to start with zero waste than at home? In the bathroom, for example.

Are zero waste cosmetics better for the environment?

In a nutshell: Yes, zero waste cosmetics are better for the environment. But what exactly is zero waste cosmetics? Zero waste goes beyond packaging. In this context, plastic-free cosmetics means environmentally friendly cosmetics without microplastics and without other environmentally harmful ingredients that are difficult to break down, as well as packaging that is not reusable or compostable.

Unfortunately, zero waste cosmetics are not so easy in everyday life. After all, cosmetics cannot simply be filled hygienically when you go shopping. Especially as filling stations, such as those already available for washing powder or food, are not exactly the standard for cosmetics. So what to do? Choose cosmetics that are as environmentally friendly as possible.

We use as few natural ingredients as possible for our products, such as sugar-based surfactants. We consistently avoid microplastics or chemical preservatives, fragrances, parabens and everything else that you don't want on your skin and that shouldn't end up in waste water. To save paper, all product information is printed on the folding box or directly on the product container.

We also rely on:

FSC-certified and CO2-compensated cardboard boxes
Climate-neutral shipping in the DACH region Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Bottles and jars made of amber glass, which you can return to us and receive a 10% discount for every 10 bottles.

We are currently working on an even more sustainable reuse process for our containers and packaging so that valuable raw materials remain in the cycle. Of course, we will always keep you up to date on the blog, in the newsletter and on our social media channels!

More sustainability in the bathroom

Want to join the zero-waste movement and start the fall clean? Very cool! But before you panic and throw away everything that doesn't fit in with your sustainable lifestyle concept after a great summer, it's best to get an overview first.

Checklist for zero waste cosmetics in the bathroom:

Refuse - What do you really need? Do you really need the serum for your hair, the chemical self-tanner, the five different nail polish colors? Or are high-quality basics for your daily skin and Haircare not more sensible? This way you save money, do something really good for yourself and help to save raw materials and CO2 through conscious consumption.

Reduce - Do you really have to use lots of different cosmetic products? Or can some products perhaps be mixed together so that you can adapt them to your skin's current needs? For example, our aloe vera gel is great for caring for dehydrated skin all over the body. However, if your skin needs richer care, you can add a nourishing oil such as our organicRosehip Seed Oil . Of course, the "mix & match principle" also works with our skin creams. Savings factor: The products can be used as needed alone or mixed and applied to the whole body or, for example, to the Haircare !

Reuse - What can you reuse? Are there perhaps products that you can refill or use elsewhere in the household? For example, you can use a glass spray bottle to make an environmentally friendly DIY bath cleaner with vinegar or lemon juice. Speaking of cleaners: do we really need a special cleaning product for every corner of the house or doesn't an environmentally friendly all-purpose cleaner also do a wonderful job? You will see how your household becomes more and more organized. And not only does this put your mind at ease, it also feels pretty good to live more in harmony with nature.

Recycle - Which recyclable materials can go back into the cycle? Not all plastic waste that is actually recyclable is recycled. It is not known how much plastic waste is landfilled, illegally incinerated or used as substitute fuel. The fact is, however, that the recycling rate in Germany is not satisfactory when viewed critically. Another good reason to switch to cosmetics in glass jars or to hair & body bars .

Compost - what can you compost? You may already discover products in the bathroom that you can dispose of in the organic waste garbage can or compost in the garden. And if you need new products, you will find many innovative alternatives to the usual cosmetic products. For example, there are cotton buds made from bamboo and compostable dental floss.

Does this all seem like a lot at once? Don't put yourself under too much pressure. Switching to zero waste cosmetics and a generally less wasteful lifestyle is a process. You are sure to gradually find more sustainable solutions and be surprised by your creative ideas. The important thing is to share your knowledge with others. Spread the word!

Plastic-free cosmetics in the bathroom - our top 5

We love our solid products. Why? Because they are packaged in a particularly environmentally friendly way and are easy to handle. This means you can enjoy your product for longer, CO2 emissions are reduced thanks to fewer transportation routes and zero plastic ends up in the bin.

Here are our strong pieces at a glance:

Solid shampoo - gently but thoroughly cleanses hair and scalp and nourishes with precious plant oils and aloe vera from certified organic cultivation.

Firm conditioner - nourishes from the scalp to the ends with organic coconut oil, organic shea butter, white clay and vegetable wax

Firm shower gel - cleanses your delicate skin with mild plant-based surfactants and pampers it with precious plant oils and aloe vera

Shaving Soap Bar - Aloe vera, shea butter and natural organicoils ensure a smooth shave for your face or body. Also perfect for zero-waste couples who live and love minimalism in the bathroom.

Hand Soap Bar - Our Hand Soap Bar with pampering plant oils and aloe vera

ensures clean velvet paws. You can store solid cosmetics in special soap sachets, on a plate or in a basket. Make sure that soap and co. are stored in a dry place and not floating in a small puddle of water.

Are cosmetics in glass more sustainable?

Glass is a valuable resource. It is true that more fuel is needed to transport glass than plastic bottles, for example. And energy and resources are also needed to produce it. But the advantages of glass, especially reusable glass, are obvious.

When disposed of correctly, glass can be melted down an infinite number of times and formed into new glass containers. This means that a large proportion of the material remains in the cycle. In addition, less energy is required to reuse recycled glass than to produce new glass. At the same time, the reprocessing of used glass saves raw materials that are needed for production. Therefore, when disposing of used glass, make sure to dispose of glass containers in the appropriate container.

You can also make great everyday use of many disused glass containers. A rinsed jam jar, for example, can be used as a toothbrush cup, a larger jar with a screw cap as a storage container for accessories such as hair bands or a spray bottle for making your own room fragrance with organic essential oils.

We only use amber glass for our environmentally friendly cosmetics. It filters UV rays well and thus ensures a longer shelf life for cosmetic products. It is important that you always close them tightly to prevent oxidation.

With our natural cosmetics and the most environmentally friendly shipping and packaging options possible, we have already come a long way and are very proud of what we have already achieved. Just as the JUNGLÜCK community is constantly growing, so is our wealth of experience and our enthusiasm for even more environmentally friendly solutions. So we are always moving forward and driving our sustainability forward. We would be delighted if you would share your insights, ideas and successes in terms of environmentally friendly cosmetics with us and send us your ideas and opinions on our concept via social media or our customer service!

Until then, keep shining!
Your Lena

 

Sources:
https://www.conversio-gmbh.com/res/News_Media/2020/Kurzfassung_Stoffstrombild_2019.pdf

https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/daten/ressourcen-abfall/verwertung-entsorgung-ausgewaehlter-abfallarten/glas-altglas#glas-gut-recycelbar